Adults with cystic fibrosis – medical challenges and a psychosocial adaptation in the context of risk of a premature death

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Renata Zubrzycka

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting genetic disorder of Caucasians. It impairs the functions of many organs with its greatest effects on the lungs and digestion. Treatment of the disease involves a multi- component regimen, including airway clearance techniques, nebulized medications, antibiotics, pancreatic enzymes and increased caloric intake. Cystic fibrosis is a burden for patients and their families in the context of their daily life tasks. The article presents generic medical, psychosocial problems of adult patients with CF, which are still little known in Poland. The detailed issues are: medical characteristics of cystic fibrosis as a rare disease, organizational conditions of rehabilitation, specific psychosocial problems including: a depression, an anxiety and a reproductive health in cystic fibrosis in the context of a premature death.

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 578-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin B. Delatycki ◽  
Jo Burke ◽  
Louise Christie ◽  
Felicity Collins ◽  
Michael Gabbett ◽  
...  

Since the discovery in 1989 that mutations in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) underlie cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common life shortening genetic disorder in Caucasians, it has been possible to identify heterozygous mutation carriers at risk of having affected children. The Human Genetics Society of Australasia has produced a position statement with recommendations in relation to population-based screening for CF. These include: (1) that screening should be offered to all relatives of people with or carriers of CF (cascade testing) as well as to all couples planning to have children or who are pregnant; (2) the minimum CFTR mutation panel to be tested consists of 17 mutations which are those mutations that are associated with typical CF and occur with a frequency of 0.1% or higher among individuals diagnosed with CF in Australasia; (3) that genetic counselling is offered to all couples where both members are known to have one or two CFTR mutations and that such couples are given the opportunity to meet with a physician with expertise in the management of CF as well as a family/individual affected by the condition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. e233470
Author(s):  
Colm Kerr ◽  
David Morrissy ◽  
Mary Horgan ◽  
Barry J Plant

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting autosomal recessive genetic disorder among Caucasian populations. The majority of CF cases are diagnosed in childhood; however, increasing numbers of adults are being diagnosed with the condition. We present the case of a 65-year-old Irish woman presenting with a chronic cough and a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections. Staphylococcus aureus, Scedosporium apiospermum and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were grown from bronchoalveolar lavage raising suspicion for CF. Sweat testing was negative; however, genetic testing revealed the presence of ∆F508 and R117H CF mutations, the latter mutation conferring a milder form of CF. The patient commenced treatment with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiator medication ivacaftor to good effect. Novel CFTR potentiators and modulators have significant potential to benefit morbidity and mortality in this group. In this case, the microbiological results were key in pursuing genetic testing and diagnosing CF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (587) ◽  
pp. eabd8109
Author(s):  
Tyler R. Ray ◽  
Maja Ivanovic ◽  
Paul M. Curtis ◽  
Daniel Franklin ◽  
Kerem Guventurk ◽  
...  

The concentration of chloride in sweat remains the most robust biomarker for confirmatory diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF), a common life-shortening genetic disorder. Early diagnosis via quantitative assessment of sweat chloride allows prompt initiation of care and is critically important to extend life expectancy and improve quality of life. The collection and analysis of sweat using conventional wrist-strapped devices and iontophoresis can be cumbersome, particularly for infants with fragile skin, who often have insufficient sweat production. Here, we introduce a soft, epidermal microfluidic device (“sweat sticker”) designed for the simple and rapid collection and analysis of sweat. Intimate, conformal coupling with the skin supports nearly perfect efficiency in sweat collection without leakage. Real-time image analysis of chloride reagents allows for quantitative assessment of chloride concentrations using a smartphone camera, without requiring extraction of sweat or external analysis. Clinical validation studies involving patients with CF and healthy subjects, across a spectrum of age groups, support clinical equivalence compared to existing device platforms in terms of accuracy and demonstrate meaningful reductions in rates of leakage. The wearable microfluidic technologies and smartphone-based analytics reported here establish the foundation for diagnosis of CF outside of clinical settings.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Fundakowski ◽  
Rosemary Ojo ◽  
Ramzi Younis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common autosomal recessive genetic disorder where a deletion mutation and subsequent downstream alteration in transmembrane regulator proteins results in increased mucus viscosity. CF manifests clinically with chronic multisystem inflammation and recurrent infections. Nearly all children with CF have chronic sinusitis, and a large majority will have concurrent sinonasal polyposis. Chronic sinusitis and sinonasal polyposis in pediatric patients with CF can be managed conservatively initially, though most will fail medical management and require surgical intervention. Unfortunately, symptom resolution is marginal and polyp recurrence rates are high. Currently, no cure exists for CF and the mainstay of treatment is to provide symptomatic relief, and minimize disease morbidity.


2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Pryor ◽  
E. Tannenbaum ◽  
S.F. Scott ◽  
J. Burgess ◽  
D. Cramer ◽  
...  

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeedeh Talebi ◽  
Mahammad Safarian ◽  
Mahmood Reza Jaafari ◽  
Seyed Javad Sayedi ◽  
Zahra Abbasi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder, which is caused by the CFTR protein defects. Along with CFTR dysfunction, inflammation plays a key role in the disease outcomes. Inflammation may develop due to the internal dysfunction of the CFTR protein or external factors. Curcumin affects the CFTR protein function primarily as a corrector and potentiator and secondary as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent. The present study aims to assess the impact of nano-curcumin on clinical and inflammatory markers in children with CF. Methods This prospective, double blind control trial will be conducted at the Akbar Children’s Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Children with CF will be enrolled based on the eligibility criteria. Placebo and curcumin with the maximum dose of 80 mg considering the body surface of the patients will be administrated for 3 months. The primary outcome is to evaluate inflammation based on serum interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and hs-CRP, stool calprotectin, and neutrophil count of nasopharyngeal swab. The secondary outcome involved clinical assessment via spirometry, anthropometrics, and quality of life. They will be assessed before and after 3 months. Discussion Due to the multifarious effects of curcumin on CF disease, it could be proposed as a nutritional strategy in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20200705048018N1. Registered on July 10, 2020.


2006 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. S76 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Pryor ◽  
E. Tannenbaum ◽  
D. Cramer ◽  
S.E. Scott ◽  
J. Burgess ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
Fabio Ingravalle ◽  
Giovanni Casella ◽  
Adriana Ingravalle ◽  
Claudio Monti ◽  
Federica De Salvatore ◽  
...  

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the commonest inherited genetic disorder in Caucasians due to a mutation in the gene CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), and it should be considered as an Inherited Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Syndrome. In the United States, physicians of CF Foundation established the “Developing Innovative Gastroenterology Speciality Training Program” to increase the research on CF in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary diseases. The risk to develop a CRC is 5–10 times higher in CF patients than in the general population and even greater in CF patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy due to organ transplantation (30-fold increased risk relative to the general population). Colonoscopy should be considered the best screening for CRC in CF patients. The screening colonoscopy should be started at the age of 40 in CF patients and, if negative, a new colonoscopy should be performed every 5 years and every 3 years if adenomas are detected. For transplanted CF patients, the screening colonoscopy could be started at the age of 35, in transplanted patients at the age of 30 and, if before, at the age of 30. CF transplanted patients, between the age of 35 and 55, must repeat colonoscopy every 3 years. Our review draws attention towards the clinically relevant development of CRC in CF patients, and it may pave the way for further screenings and studies.


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